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Edited on Sat May-21-05 02:42 AM by SmileyBoy
I have, all my life. I have never felt that I had a full allegiance and kinship to the United States. But I have always felt that feeling towards Canada, ever since I was as young as I can remember. I have lived in the US all my life, but I have been to Canada countless times, and I have visited every major Canadian city west of Montreal. I have seen all there is to see in and about Canada. I have taken in more of Canada in my life than I have of the United States. I probably know more about Canadian pop culture than 999 out of 1,000 Americans do. I have probably travelled throughout more of Canada than 99 percent of Canadians ever have. I've been as west as Vancouver and as east as Ottawa. I get CBC Winnipeg on cable in my apartment, and I used to cheer fanatically for the NHL Jets when I was younger (I had the choice between the North Stars and the Jets, and I chose the Jets, because even though Minneapolis and Winnipeg were equidistant from my city, I preferred the Canadian team). I watch CFL football as much as NFL football. I feel like Canada is my home, even though I have never lived there before.
I don't know why I never felt this way towards the United States. Maybe it has been the attitude of the people here. Maybe this kind of soured a little my initial feelings towards my country and what it meant to be a citizen of a country when I was young. Maybe this "We're better than everyone else, and FUCK YOU" attitude has existed longer than Chimpy has been in charge. It's like the stories of transgendered people who need sex changes because they have never shown or personally felt any of the characteristic traits of the gender they were supposed to be a part of, so they need to change that. Maybe we're all "Transnationalized". Maybe all of us on the left really are Canadians instead of Americans. If all the shit going on today in this country is what America is supposed to stand for, then I am DEFINITELY not an American.
I have observed what goes on in Canada, in their media, politics and culture, and I have made friendships with Canadians over the years, and let me tell you, I like how things look a LOT better north of the 49th Parallel than south of it. It's like America, the whole notion of America, the whole American Way doesn't fit me. It doesn't coincide with my personality or my way of life or my view of the world.
I know that some freeper types would respond, "Well, if you don't like it here, then leave!!" Well, I'm poised and ready to strike at any opportunity for me to get a job or educational training in Canada. I'm darn ready to leave.
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